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You should use mineral oil as it will not go rancid like vegetable oil will! You can purchase it at any drug store or pharmacy.

You should oil all sides including the bottom, this will help prevent warping.

I was taught to oil something new as follows: once a day for a week, once a week for a month and then once a month forever, or when it is looking dried out.You can also use the wax made from bees wax and mineral oil after it has a good oiling.Good scoff!!!!

I can't tell a lot from the photo but I can say for almost 100% certainty it isn't cherry. Looks more like a commercially made piece from rubber tree wood. If the long pieces that run the length are finger jointed, than it is rubber tree.

Back to your original question...Mineral oil when the area cut on most starts to look lighter than the surrounding wood. Clean the board, apply the oil and allow it to soak in then buff off. Once in a while oil the bottom as well. You can melt some bees wax or paraffin into some oil and apply to the board for some added water repellency. (Will not make the board water proof!)

I can't tell a lot from the photo but I can say for almost 100% certainty it isn't cherry. Looks more like a commercially made piece from rubber tree wood. If the long pieces that run the length are finger jointed, than it is rubber tree.

here's a HQ photo to look at. Maybe you can see now?[/url]

Definitely didn't look like cherry to me. Seemed like birch. I had thought it may be the synthetic wood. But I have a cutting board made out of that stuff and it had a different feel. Also no finger locks (I don't think). Take a look and let me know if you can. Thanks!